In photos: World’s largest coral discovered in Solomon Islands

Divers from National Geographic Pristine Seas measure the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

Ronnie Posala collects data on a dive on the National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition in the Solomon Islands.

A diver swims alongside the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

National Geographic Pristine Seas team members are seen aboard the new custom-designed National Geographic Pristine Seas submersible, the Argonauta, on expedition in the Solomon Islands.

Divers from National Geographic Pristine Seas measure the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

A diver from National Geographic Pristine Seas measures the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

The largest coral colony in the world, discovered in the Solomon Islands by National Geographic scientists, is seen in this aerial photograph. (Photograph by Seve Spence/National Geographic Pristine Seas)

A diver from National Geographic Pristine Seas measures the world’s largest coral colony in the Solomon Islands.

The world’s largest coral has been discovered in the Solomon Islands. Measuring 34 meters wide and 32 meters long, the gigantic organism is a complex network of coral polyps — tiny individual creatures — that have grown over a span of three centuries.

Scientists working in the southwest Pacific Ocean have discovered the world’s largest coral in the Solomon Islands, a mass so big it can be seen from space.